First identification of the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis in Djibouti: Leishmania donovani.

The first identification of the Leishmania species responsible for visceral leishmaniasis in Djibouti is described. Four strains, obtained from three autochthonous cases, were identified by starch-gel electrophoresis and iso-enzyme analysis of 15 enzymatic systems. The strains were found to belong to two newly recognized zymodemes of L.

[Prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses in a chronic hemodialysis center in Dakar].

In endemic areas of hepatitis B and C, hemodialysis patients are highly exposed to these infections. So the authors studied the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among chronic hemodialysis patients of CHU A. Le Dantec of Dakar in a cross study carried out from June 1996 to June 1997, in order to identify risk factors and suggest appropriate prophylaxis.

Increased frequency of malaria attacks in subjects co-infected by intestinal worms and Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

The influence of intestinal worm infections on malaria was studied in individuals from Dielmo, Senegal in 1998. Results suggest that, compared with those infected, individuals free of helminths had the same degree of protection against malaria as that provided by sickle-cell trait, the most potent factor of resistance to malaria identified to date.

[Association between Class I HLA alleles and HBs antigen carrier status among blood donors in Senegal].

The course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be influenced by the host immune response. A prospective study was carried out in ninety-eight subjects (mean age = 23 years) HBs antigens carriers of hepatitis B and living in Dakar, Senegal. We analysed the HLA-A, -B, and C antigens distribution compared to that one of a control (HBs negative) healthy senegalese population (n = 96) living in Dielmo village where a longitudinal study was set-up since 1990.

[Pemphigoid and acquired hemophilia].

Introduction: The association of bullous pemphigoid and acquired haemophilia is reported.

Case-report: A 74 year-old man developed a bullous pemphigoid after decreasing corticotherapy, ecchymosis and haematomas revealing a high level of acquired anti-VIII antibodies (110 Bethesda UB units; TCA 98 s). Immunosuppressive treatment (cyclosporine, prednisone, azathioprine and bolus of cyclophosphamide) did not stop the disease.

[Evaluation of the OptiMal test in the diagnosis of imported malarial outbreak].

The OptiMal test is an immuno-chromatographic dipstick test that permits indiscriminate detection of Plasmodium falciparum and other species of human malaria. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the test for diagnosis of imported malaria. A total of 244 patients with a presumptive diagnosis of imported malaria in France were included during the study period.

Serological HLA class I alleles in Senegalese blood donors detected HBs Ag positive.

We analysed the HLA class I alleles in 96 blood donors HBs Ag positive compared with 93 healthy control individuals (HBs negative). The most frequent HLA-A, -B, -C alleles found were, A23 (33.6%); A2 (25%); A30 (25%); B8 (31.

[Hepatitis C virus and chronic hepatopathies in Dakar: case-control study].

In Black Africa, the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the onset of chronic hepatic disease is unclear. This is particularly true in Senegal where the prevalence of HCV is moderate. To gain insight into this question, a case-control study including 73 patients and 73 controls was carried out at Principal Hospital in Dakar in 1995.

The 1998 Senegal epidemic of meningitis was due to the clonal expansion of A:4:P1.9, clone III-1, sequence type 5 Neisseria meningitidis strains.

Between January and April 1998, a meningitis outbreak due to serogroup A meningococcus took place in Senegal. The outbreak began in Gandiaye, 165 km to the east of Dakar, and progressed towards the towns of Gossas, Niakkhar, Guinguineo, Fatik, Foundiougne, Dioffior, Sokone, Kaolack, and Nioro. At the same time, the outbreak reached regions of Kaffrine, Koungheul, and Tambacounda in the east of Senegal.

PCR-RFLP-detected human papilloma virus infection in a group of senegalese women attending an STD clinic and identification of a new HPV-68 subtype.

Cancer of the cervix is the most common malignant tumor among women in Africa and, in particular, Senegal. Studies of the prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in Africa have mainly focused on carcinomas. Data on the presence of the virus in women with normal cervical cytology are scarce.

Re-emergence of yellow fever in Senegal in 1995.

An outbreak of yellow fever (YF) occurred in the central part of Senegal during October 1995. Thirty-one probable cases were detected and 79 cases were confirmed either by IgM ELISA or by virus isolation (30 strains isolated). The case fatality rate was 18.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Vibrio cholerae isolates from a recent cholera outbreak in Senegal: comparison with isolates from Guinea-Bissau.

A total of 127 strains of Vibrio cholerae (117 V. cholerae O1 and 10 nonagglutinating strains) isolated from a recent cholera outbreak in Senegal and four strains isolated in Guinea-Bissau (during the survey of a cholera epidemic that occurred 10 months before the Senegalese one) were analyzed. Strains were characterized by conventional methods (biochemical and serologic identification, susceptibility to antimicrobial agents), polymerase chain reaction for genes encoding cholera toxin (CtxA), zonula occludens toxin (Zot), and accessory cholera enterotoxin (Ace), and by ribotyping.

[Pathologies associated with HTLV-1 virus in Dakar (1992-1995)].

A clinical and laboratory study was conducted in Dakar (Senegal) to assess the involvement of HTLV-1 virus (human T lymphotrophic virus type 1) in various diseases. Patients were enrolled at three locations: the Dermatology Department of the Fann University Hospital Center (845 patients) from 1992 to 1995, the Dermatology Department of the Le Dantec University Hospital Center and the Oncology Department of the Principal Hospital (7 patients) in 1994 and 1995. The incidence of involvement of human retroviruses in neurologic complications seemed low (HTLV-1: 2%, HIV: 3%) and only 6 cases of tropical spastic paraparesis associated with specific anti-HTLV-1 antibodies were diagnosed in 3 men and 3 women with a mean age of 51 years.

[Pathogenic approach of thrombopenia in dengue and its hemorrhagic complications].

Dengue is a frequent viral infection in the intertropical countries. The frequency and the severe forms of this infection are a real problem of public health. The haemorrhagic forms of the disease are constantly associated with thrombocytopenia.

[Demonstration of subclinical pulmonary alveolitis in spondylarthropathies].

Restrictive ventilatory dysfunction, lowered diffusing capacity, and apical fibrosis have been reported in ankylosing spondylitis. To investigate the pathogenesis of these abnormalities, we studied distal airspace cytology by performing bronchoalveolar lavage in 34 spondyloarthropathy patients (ankylosing spondylitis, n = 16; reactive arthritis, n = 4; axial psoriatic arthritis, n = 2; and undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy with HLA B27-positivity in every case but one, n = 12). Mean age was 32.